With summer coming to an end in Jefferson City, now is a great time to get a kick start on air conditioner maintenance.

If you haven’t cleaned it recently, it could be full of mud and yard waste. This collection can decrease your unit’s efficiency and cause it to break down. Or wear it down sooner.

We recommend having your air conditioning system professionally maintained once a year. Why? A clean system can be more energy efficient, which could save you money on utility costs.

Regular AC maintenance also helps our technicians locate and address minor issues before they develop into costly problems.

Related: How to Keep Your Air Conditioner from Failing

Some of the work we complete includes:

  • Taking a look at the blower, motor, drain line and coils
  • Checking pressure and temperature
  • Reviewing lines, refrigerant totals and connections

There’s still time to have maintenance done this fall—and we can get your furnace ready for heating season too.

There’s also some upkeep you can do on your own between professional tune-ups. It only takes about an hour to clean your outdoor condenser unit, as well as a couple of pieces on your indoor HVAC system.

Related: How Often Should You Expect to Get Air Conditioning Service Done?

How to Clean Your Outside AC Unit

Select a mild day to clean your air conditioner. At least 60 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius) is ideal. That way, you can test your system once you’ve cleaned it.

You’ll only need a few items:

  • Wet-dry vacuum and hose with a soft brush attachment
  • Screwdriver
  • Butter knife
  • Damp rag
  • Small, round paintbrush
  • Replacement furnace filter (if necessary)

Related: How AC Repair and Maintenance Can Actually Save You Money

Five Steps to Clean the Outside Unit

1. Turn Off the Power

Switch off the power to your air conditioner at the breaker box.

2. Clean the Outside

Remove debris from the equipment. This includes branches, bushes, weeds and grass.

Then turn on the vacuum to cautiously clean the metallic fins. These components are also known as condenser coils and transfer heat away from your equipment.

You need to be careful with these fragile coils. Misshapen or crumpled fins can influence efficiency.

3. Fix Bent Fins

Use a butter knife to adjust warped fins. You can also use a fin comb from an appliance part retailer. A pro from Stieferman Heating Company Inc should handle severe damage.

4. Clean the Inside

After removing the fan, pull out leaves and other yard waste. Then mop the inside of the system with a wet cloth.

The only coil cleaner you need is water. Use gentle pressure from a hose nozzle to wash the fins, directing water from the inside out. Reinstall the fan once you’re completed.

5. Test Your Air Conditioner

You can now restore power and turn your air conditioner back on. If it’s not working correctly, give us a call at 573-635-3547.

Related: Air Conditioner Service: Pay a Little Now, Save Later

Three Steps to Clean the Indoor Unit

1. Turn Off the Power

Stop the juice to your furnace at the breaker box.

2. Check Your Filter

Furnace filters should be changed every few months, depending on the kind you use.

Can’t remember when you last checked yours? Remove it and tilt it toward the light. If you can’t see light through it, get a new one.

3. Clean the Inside

Remove the blower door and vacuum up dust.

Then examine your air conditioner’s drain line—it’s a supple plastic tube. If it’s moldy, you can sanitize it by pouring diluted bleach through the tube to flush the line. Or you can buy a new tube.

Clean the drain port using a small, round paintbrush. Hook up the drain tube and turn the power back on.

Related: How to Keep Your Air Conditioner Running Well Through Fall

Never Forget a Tune-Up Again

Annual air conditioner maintenance from Stieferman Heating Company Inc can make your equipment more efficient and help it last longer. We also provide convenient service agreements, so you won’t forget to plan your annual tune-up!